Last updated on December 18, 2023.

The Black Sea city of Sinop is probably most famous for being the birthplace of ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes the Cynic. A statue of him holding his lantern and standing next to his dog is located at the entrance of the peninsula.

Diogenes monument in Sinop, Turkey
Diogenes monument
Diogenes monument in Sinop, Turkey
Diogenes monument

 

Palace of Justice

In the middle of the peninsula is the city center, where there are some nice buildings and museums. The Palace of Justice (Adalet Sarayı) sits on a roundabout a few minutes walk north of the ancient city walls. The Sinop Clock Tower (Sinop Saat Kulesi), built in 1901, stands nearby.

Adalet Sarayı in Sinop, Turkey
Palace of Justice
Saat Kulesi in Sinop, Turkey
Clock Tower

 

Ethnography Museum

A couple blocks east of the roundabout is the Sinop Ethnography Museum (Sinop Etnoğrafya Müzesi), located in an 18th century Ottoman mansion. Admission is free (as of May 2023) and it’s open daily from 8:30am to 5pm. I didn’t visit.

Etnoğrafya Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Ethnography Museum
Etnoğrafya Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Ethnography Museum

 

Archaeology Museum

North of the roundabout is the Sinop Archaeology Museum (Sinop Arkeoloji Müzesi). Inside is an impressive collection of local ancient and modern artifacts, including mosaics, coins, amphorae, and icons. It’s open daily from 8:30am to 5pm and admission is 50₺ (as of May 2023).

Arkeoloji Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Archaeology Museum
Arkeoloji Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Icon
Arkeoloji Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Mosaic
Arkeoloji Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Stone tablets
Arkeoloji Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Kiln

The garden outside the museum is a small park with columns, tombstones, and sarcophagi scattered around. The Temple of Serapis from the 4th century BC is the highlight of the park.

Arkeoloji Müzesi in Sinop, Turkey
Garden
Temple of Serapis in Sinop, Turkey
Temple of Serapis

There’s also a monument to Ottoman soldiers killed in a surprise attack on the Ottoman fleet by the Russians in 1853, prompting the Crimean War.

Crimean War memorial in Sinop, Turkey
Crimean War memorial

 

Alâeddin Mosque

A couple of Seljuk sites are located in Sinop. The biggest is the Alâeddin Mosque (Alâeddin Camii). It was originally built in the 1220s after Sinop was captured by the Seljuks from the Trebizond Empire in 1214.

Alaaddin Camii in Sinop, Turkey
Alâeddin Mosque

The mosque was commissioned by Seljuk Sultan Alâeddin Keykûbad I, and was mostly destroyed after Manuel I of Trebizond recaptured Sinop in 1254. Seljuk vizier Pervâne recaptured Sinop for the Seljuks again in 1262, and rebuilt the mosque in 1267. The exterior walls are made of stone but in the mosque’s pleasant courtyard, the walls are made of wood.

Alaaddin Camii in Sinop, Turkey
Courtyard
Alaaddin Camii in Sinop, Turkey
Prayer hall

 

Pervane Madrasa

The Pervane Madrasa (Pervane Medresesi), a religious school built in 1265 by Pervâne, sits just north of the Alâeddin Mosque. It was in use as a school until the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923, converted into a museum from 1940 to 1970, and now serves as a craft market. The intricate stone carving above the entrance is stunning.

Pervane Medresesi in Sinop, Turkey
Pervane Madrasa
Pervane Medresesi in Sinop, Turkey
Pervane Madrasa
Pervane Medresesi in Sinop, Turkey
Craft market inside the madrasa

 

Green Tomb

The Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe), a small 15th century tomb, sits near both buildings.

Yeşil Türbe in Sinop, Turkey
Green Tomb
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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